Region In Your Backpack: a digital meeting place for future opportunities

One digital platform where many issues in education are brought together: Region In Your Backpack. This is the central place where learning, inspiring, proposing and meeting come together. Through personal DNA profiles, events and open days, the backpack is filled with learning experiences and connections with companies.

"Giving students a good idea of the opportunities in their own region is where it starts," says Paul van Lienen as project leader of the initiative. Working for years as a teacher, he saw that students are overloaded with options and choices. Often at times when they are not yet ready, or not yet engaged.

The platform is accessible to students through a login. From a dashboard, they can explore their interests and competencies, discover the companies in their region and find matches that match their personal profile.

"The matchtest helps students find potential opportunities that match their interests. Think of it as a kind of 'Tinder for students and companies,' where the best matches are made based on entered data and preferences," Paul said.

The process includes six steps: discover, meet, experience, deepen, pursue and confirm. "In this way, we can look much more specifically at what suits each student in his or her own region."

Region In Your Backpack goes beyond just finding an internship or further education. Through "backpack assignments," students can generate a unique DNA profile that reflects their qualities, motivations and areas of interest. This gives them more insight into their competencies and skills.

Pupils who complete enough assignments receive a fourth component, which is which occupations would fit. Companies and opportunities in the region are also indicated. This gives the teacher a good overview to have a conversation with the student.

Paul explains, "We give students insight into trades rather than occupations. We want companies to show what they have to offer. Because you can do much more at a company than is often thought. If you show the possibilities in different trades, it is also much easier to find the right further education."

Region In Your Backpack is a collaboration between Appart and Meet the Youngsters, with regional partners including Keyport and Crossroads.

"Together with partners, we look for collaborations with local schools and companies. In principle, this can be done anywhere, but we are connected to the region," Paul continues. "In Central Limburg we are now called 'Keyport Meets | Region in your Backpack' and in Northern Limburg it is 'Crossroads Meets | Region in your Backpack'.

We are working with Meet the Youngsters to provide a continuous learning line. This means that we maintain connections. For companies it is very interesting to get to know this target group. After all, this is the employee of the future! And where else can you find him or her?"

With Region In Your Backpack, three goals are achieved simultaneously: discovering great opportunities for students, making valuable connections for businesses and promoting the growth and development of the region as a whole. "We encourage students to explore and discover the opportunities in their own backyard, making them better prepared to make informed decisions about their future," Paul said.